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1959 Speed Shop Part 1: Manifolds!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Jive-Bomber, Sep 24, 2009.

  1. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

  2. CGkidd
    Joined: Mar 2, 2002
    Posts: 2,908

    CGkidd
    Member

    To cool wish the prices were still the same.
     
  3. JeffreyJames
    Joined: Jun 13, 2007
    Posts: 16,628

    JeffreyJames
    Member
    from SUGAR CITY

    Intakes are one of those things that when I see them and they look fresh from the cast I want them even if I may not need them. Definitely the icing on the engine cake. Prices are definitely a bit different from the ones we see today.
     
  4. I think I need one of those Weiand DRAG STAR 6-carb Log Manifolds for my 392ci Chrysler ... where do I send my $74.50? ... ah, what the heck, I'll splurge and go with the 8-carb model for $75.95 :D
     

  5. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,349

    -Brent-
    Member

    Makes me feel pretty good, actually, about the price I paid for my Weiand 3x2 for my 292. It was only a 200% increase in price after 50 years. Inflation is nuts...
     
  6. -Brent-
    Joined: Nov 20, 2006
    Posts: 7,349

    -Brent-
    Member

    Now my Weiand fuel log... I bet I overpaid for that! :D:eek:
     
  7. panheadguy
    Joined: Jan 8, 2005
    Posts: 1,086

    panheadguy
    Member
    from S.E. WI

    Honest Charlie "Hisself" was my source in the 60's. Not many spped shops in WI....then or now.
     
  8. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

    That's who my Dad (KC, Mo) used to- Honest Charlie. He bought a McGurk 6X2 set up for his 283 Corvette from them...
     
  9. 49ratfink
    Joined: Feb 8, 2004
    Posts: 18,828

    49ratfink
    Member
    from California

    those Almquist catalogs are pretty cool. I found one along with a Midwest Speed Catalog (?) .. Midwest something anyways in a pile of useless old crap magazines and catalogs at a swap not too long ago. $5 for both. made my whole day.

    HEMI32 must be asleep at the wheel... didin't notice the Chrysler 300 on the Weiand page and give us all a full history of the car and driver.
     
  10. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    I recall quite a few years back there was an article in (IIRC) Street Rodder or Rod Action on Offenhauser; It stated that they were still stocking intakes, valve covers for many of the old, uncommon (Stde, Cad, etc)engines. There were photos in the article showing what was in stock. IIRC, they were running very short runs of a few dozen at a time to keep this stuff in stock.

    Question is; If Edelbrock, Weiand, etc. still have the patterns for 8 x 2 Drag Star manifolds, etc. could/would they run small runs? Even if the manifolds were double or triple SBC prices, it would beat used swap meet prices!
    Possibly someone like Speedway could contract with someone like Edelbrock to run an "exclusive run" of a couple hundred of a given manifold?
    As an example, simalar exclusive runs of old model car kits have been done for independents by the model car co.'s. They run 5-10,000 of a kit that wouldn't sell mainstreeam, but is very sought after and well received by hardcore model builders because original issue's of the kits are very valuable and tough to find.
     
  11. skunx1964
    Joined: Aug 21, 2008
    Posts: 1,455

    skunx1964
    Member

    damn, offy valve covers for 30 bucks. wish i could find some for 300 now......
     
  12. eddie1
    Joined: Jul 27, 2006
    Posts: 568

    eddie1
    Member

    If only we could pay that now! Who would not have a supercharged motor with 8 carbs? Intake, blower, & carb base for less than $250.00!
     
  13. No ... I saw it:

    WEIAND Record Holders.JPG
    click to enlarge

    ... I just didn't want to get teased (by a certain HAMBer with a '49 Chevy :rolleyes:) about my love of the HEMI-powered Chrysler 300 letter cars :) ... besides, I'm just not very familiar with Norm Thatcher's Bonneville record setting '58 Chrysler 300D ... perhaps StillOutThere (the HAMBs resident Chrysler 300C expert) will chime in here.
     
  14. seetz
    Joined: Jun 26, 2008
    Posts: 195

    seetz
    Member

    you know, they actually got cheaper. Chevy dual intake, then $38.50. that's $280 in today's dollars (I asked google and that's what she said). thing is, I can buy one for $245, now, from a good parts supplier.
     
  15. Bugsy
    Joined: Dec 27, 2008
    Posts: 1,299

    Bugsy
    Member
    from Kansas

    Sometimes I wonder if my kids will someday say, "Damn...the old man only paid $300 for those offy's. Can't touch today for under 3 grand"!!!
     
  16. Paul
    Joined: Aug 29, 2002
    Posts: 16,382

    Paul
    Editor

    I'll take the 4x2 three bolt carb adapter for the 4-71 blower #10-443 for $26.00 plus shipping please
     
  17. C-1-PW
    Joined: Jun 11, 2006
    Posts: 357

    C-1-PW
    Member

    By comparison to today's engines, the engines of the 30's through the 60's were easier to hop up. Not only were the parts available, but kids didn't think twice about tearing into their engines. For the common guy, there isn't much you can do to a new engine exept add a fat muffler. . . .But why would anyone even do that when the factory systems are really quite good?
     
  18. OoltewahSpeedShop
    Joined: Oct 18, 2007
    Posts: 3,103

    OoltewahSpeedShop
    Member

    The 4X2 flathead intakes were less than $50...! They are Holy Grail now. I used to go to Honest Charlie's as a kid with my dad, total candy shop for Hot Rod guys.

    Kevin
    Ooltewah Speed Shop
     
  19. i bought one of the weld on kits for a 6 cyl manifold see that they were $5. something, finally sold it to a bud after nam and welded it to a GMC truck intake and it worked good

    back then mechanic wages were $1.45 a hr in 1965 for me
     
  20. von Dyck
    Joined: Apr 12, 2007
    Posts: 678

    von Dyck
    Member

    1959 dollars are not 2009 dollars. The only way to figure equivalency is to compare how many hours a carguy has to work at a paying job to be able to buy the part he wants.
    1959 Crate Engines? Most guys had a machine shop do the precision machine work, took the parts home and assembled their own engines. Heck, even the local service station mechanic could grind valves and seats and 'clean up' a set of brake drums for you. Of course, some mechanics did better work than others. Nowadays this is all sent out to specialty shops or purchased brand new from a middle-man emporium half way between the west Pacific Rim and your doorstep.
     
  21. glenn33
    Joined: Sep 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,838

    glenn33
    Member
    from Browns, IL

    Love the Drag-Winner Accelerometer only $3.95 on page 17.And they offer "easy no interest payments" too.

     
  22. 39cent
    Joined: Apr 4, 2006
    Posts: 1,569

    39cent
    Member
    from socal

    I know that I made about $20 a day on the RR in 1959 and that wasnt bad money for those times. Hafta put things into perspective, as to costs however I think I did have more spending money.
     
  23. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,484

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    Back in the day,I used to buy from Almquist and Honest Charlie and this post got me to thinking,What ever happened to the Almquist products? I can't remember ever seeing any at swap meets or in online ads,also who manufactured their intakes?
     
  24. JeffB2
    Joined: Dec 18, 2006
    Posts: 9,484

    JeffB2
    Member
    from Phoenix,AZ

    Curiosity got the best of me,I googled Ed Almquist, seems He wrote several books,one "Hot Rod Pioneers" is quite large and the preface was written by Don Garlits,has anyone read it ? it was also stated that He was going to manufacture some vintage products and he lives in Milford,Pa and still drives a '31 roadster:cool:
     

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